About Tower Bridge London
Amongst the most iconic bridges in the city, the Tower Bridge London, located on River Thames, is also a major landmark symbolic to this city. Earlier known as the Tower of London, the London Tower Bridge is predominantly famous for its amazing design and great engineering. The bridge was opened in 1894, and rose up to around 61 metres in height, making it a famous tourist site. It is also one of the most sophisticated bridges in the whole world, offering amazing views of the River Thames from above.
The two magnificent towers are connected to each other via two parallel walkways, which adds to the structure’s beauty. These walkways offer visitors some of the most spectacular bird’s eye views of the London cityscape. Boasting of a gothic Victorian style of design, the London Tower Bridge also transports you all the way back to ancient times. Additionally, the glass floors of the walkways offer you a chance to witness the pedestrians walking across the bridge below you.
A historical and cultural landmark of the city of London, the Tower Bridge also raises its bascules around three times a day, letting the ships pass by, making it a sight to behold.
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Why Book Tower Bridge Tickets?
By booking your Tower Bridge tickets, you will be able to take a trip through hundreds of years of rich history. You can also get a chance to know what's inside Tower Bridge London and understand the importance of this majestic structure and learn how it has changed throughout the years. It is best to book the Tower Bridge tickets online, to ensure that you enjoy a variety of exciting deals and discounts, and also indulge in the tour without having to wait in long entry queues. Additionally, pre-booking your tour will also help you avail discounts on London's Tower Bridge tickets.
- Visit the Tower Bridge London, which is the most significant bridge in the city, and serves as one of the main entrances to London.
- Book your Tower Bridge London tickets, and get a chance to learn about the rich history and culture of London at the interactive and unique Tower Bridge Exhibition.
- Head over to the Victorian Engine Rooms inside the bridge to see how the world’s most renowned bridge operates.
- Avail exciting offers on Tower Bridge tickets at best price and get a chance to witness the London cityscape from a height of 42 metres above the river Thames.
- Soak in some of the most unparalleled bird’s eye views of the river, and catch sights of the pedestrians walking on the bridge from the glass walkways here.
- The Tower Bridge tickets offers an amazing “See Inside” tour, wherein you can learn about the history and significance of the bridge, through interactive displays, animation films and photographs.
History Of Tower Bridge London
The Tower Bridge London was built during the late nineteenth century, when the demands for a new river crossing rose in east London. This is also when the trading industry had experienced a sudden ride. Therefore, the builders of the bridge had to ensure that the bridge would not limit the access. This would allow the sailing ships, vessels and cargo ships to sail freely between the port facilities at the London Bridge and the Tower of London. It took almost 8 years and over 50 designs for the final design of this bridge to be confirmed in 1884. The construction of the Tower Bridge began in 1886, and it was finally open to the public in 1894. In the year 1982, the Tower Bridge Exhibition was opened, thereby letting visitors gain an insight into the bridge’s rich history and significance. As of today, more than 40,000 visitors visit the London Tower Bridge every day.
What To Explore at Tower Bridge London?
The Tower Bridge offers visitors a unique opportunity to gain insight into its rich history, in addition to offering stunning views of London from its famous glass walkways. While the Tower Bridge Exhibition lets you understand more about how the bridge was constructed and the roles it has played over the years, you can also visit the Victorian era engine rooms here, to see how the bridge was originally powered and raised.
Begin your tour by heading up the Victorian staircase to the North Tower of the Tower Bridge. Here you can learn about the architects, makers, technicians and all the other people who laid the foundations of this iconic London landmark. Watch films from the times gone by, and see how the bridge has become significant to the culture and history of the city. Get a chance to experience the hustle and bustle of the London cityscape from the Victorian era, which is around the same time when the bridge was built.
Next in your tour of the Tower Bridge, head towards the East and West walkways, where you can enjoy an experience of walking on glass walkways. From the see-through windows here, look down directly onto the bridge and the river Thames, and see as pedestrians cross the bridge, from a height of 42 metres above the river. And if you are lucky, you might even catch sights of the bridge lifting up right below you. You can also soak in panoramic views of the city from here, in addition to witnessing famous landmarks of London, including the St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Monument, Canary Wharf, Shooters Hill, St. Katharine’s Docks, London Eye, The Shard, Wembley Stadium and more.
Descend through the South Tower in the bridge and get a chance to learn about the people who have worked inside the bridge and maintained it ever since it was completed in 1894. Watch video footage of the Tower Bridge lifting up from years ago, along with its original designs, the tools as well as materials which were used to build it. You can even see the original designs of the bascule chambers and the uniforms of the staff who used to work here. The South Tower also has a “Walk of Fame,” which is where you can see ornamental bronze plaques with names of the staff who helped to build this magnificent structure.
As you exit the South Tower, you will find a Blue Line which will lead you all the way up to the Engine Room inside the Tower Bridge. This line is said to commemorate the people of the bridge, the male and female staff who played different roles and helped to construct and operate the bridge all throughout its thousands of years of history. Spend some time observing the names that are featured here, all of which belong to people of different trades, from watchmen and traders, to designers, mechanics, engineers, and more.
Head over to visit the Engine Rooms, which once used to help keep the Tower Bridge function properly. The room is set amongst the original steam engines, accumulators, as well as coal burners. You can also get a chance to learn about the history of the bridge and people who used to work in these rooms, such as cooks, engineers, coal stokers, etc. You can also view the original steam engines from the Victorian era, coal-fired boilers, drivetrains and other equipment here, and learn how they used to work as well. Then, before heading back home, visit the award-winning shop in the Tower Bridge, where you can get your hands on an extensive selection of special London-themed souvenirs, gifts, books, postcards and other things to take back home.
Tower Bridge London Facts
- Each of the levered sections of the bascule of the London Tower Bridge weighs over 1,100 tons.
- You can find a huge secret chamber under the bridge, which balances the bascule where private concerts are occasionally organised.
- Around 70,000 tons of concrete was used to make the foundation of the Tower Bridge.
- It took over 400 labourers and 8 years to fully construct the Tower Bridge.
- The bascules of the bridge are opened approximately 850 times in a year, and at least once every day.
- Over 50 designs were submitted for the bridge, until 1884, when the final design made by architect Sir Horace Jones and civil engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry was selected.
- The bridge was originally powered by coal burning steam engines, until the 1970s, when these were replaced by a combination of oil and electricity.
- In 1952, the Tower Bridge once opened while a bus was on it, and the driver had to quickly leap over the opening gap of the bridge.
- A man once parachuted off the Tower Bridge into the River Thames in 1917.
- Over 40,000 people pass across the Tower Bridge every single day.
- While the bascules are quite heavy, it typically takes only around 5 minutes for them to open up to let ships pass by.
Why Visit Tower Bridge London?
- The London Tower Bridge has a rich and significant history, dating back to over 1,000 years, which makes it one of the most iconic bridges built across the river Thames in London.
- It is also the only bascule bridge in the entire city of London, in addition to being amongst the first moveable bridges which are powered by a hydraulic mechanism.
- The bridge is also quite famous in the world of pop culture, and has been featured in popular movies like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Sherlock Holmes, and more.
- You can enjoy viewing displays about the history of the bridge, all of the royal visits here, as well as photographs of the bridge from times immemorial, during your visit.
- It is here, where you get the chance to look through a clear plexiglass floor and soak in stunning views of the bridge down below, along with the surrounding landmarks and attractions of the city.
- The Victorian Engine Rooms here are also unique, and offer you a chance to see age-old machinery which were used to power up the bridge, along with huge iron-clad cylinders, bronze plaques of workers and more.
Know Before You Book Tower Bridge Tickets
Location: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
Timings: 09:30 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Tower Bridge London is during early mornings, from 09:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is when the crowds here are relatively less, which thereby gives you the chance to explore the attractions inside the bridge and spend time here without any rush. Additionally, you can also plan your visit between 10:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. from April to September, and between 09:30 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. from October to March to catch sights of the bridge when it is being raised.
Traveler Tips Before Booking Tower Bridge Tickets
- It is always advisable to book your Tower Bridge tickets online, as the tickets to main areas inside the tower, or the lift to the upper walkways are not easily available all the time.
- It is recommended to look up the opening hours of the bridge when you plan a visit, so that you can enjoy seeing it open up, attend the exhibitions, yoga classes or other events here.
- It is always advisable to carry a camera with you when you visit the Tower Bridge, since that can help you capture the beautiful moments of the river and surrounding landmarks of London.
- If you are a foreigner visiting the Tower Bridge, then you must always carry your passport and visa details along with your Tower Bridge tickets in order to gain access.
Know More About The Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge London FAQs
What is the minimum age required to book Tower Bridge Tickets?
The minimum age required to book Tower Bridge London tickets is 5 years. However, age groups of 5-15 years of age will have to buy a child ticket, individuals above the age of 15 years will be charged the same as adults. Senior Tickets are applicable for visitors aged 60+ years.
Can we book the Tower Bridge Tickets on site?
Yes, you can definitely buy the tickets on site and on the same day of your trip. However, it is recommended to buy the tickets online so as to avoid long queues and waiting time and have a hassle free entry with the ticket on your handset.
Do we have to book in advance for Tower Bridge Tickets?
No, it is not necessary to book the tickets in advance. However, it is advisable to book the tickets prior to the visit so that you can have a hassle free entry and experience.
How long is Tower Bridge London?
The Tower Bridge is 800 feet, or 240 metres in length.
How much time should one spend inside Tower Bridge London?
You can expect to spend anywhere between half an hour to one hour inside Tower Bridge London, to indulge in the entire experience here.
What makes Tower Bridge London so famous?
The Tower Bridge London is famous because it is the most striking bridge in the city. Its Neo-Gothic architecture, along with its lifting central sections make it amongst the most beautiful bridges in the world. Additionally, at the time of its construction, the Tower Bridge London was also the most sophisticated bascule bridge around the world, because of its design, which combines both bascule and suspension elements over the Thames River. It is also famous for its historical significance, wherein visitors can get a chance to learn about the deep history of this bridge and the city of London.
Are pets allowed inside Tower Bridge London?
Yes, pets, especially dogs, are allowed inside Tower Bridge London. However, visitors must ensure to supervise their pets during the tour, to avoid any kind of nuisance or disturbance to other visitors. It is also important to note that while pets may be restricted entry during the busy hours, assistance dogs are allowed entry into the Tower Bridge London at all times.
Why does the Tower Bridge London lifts?
The Tower Bridge London lifts up to allow the convenient passing of the river traffic beneath it. This part of the river is known as the Pool of London. It is here where the bridge lifts up to let the tourist ships and cargo vessels pass through freely.